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Macclesfield Town Stuns Crystal Palace in FA Cup Upset

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. d-town-stuns-crystal-palace-in-fa-cup-upset.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, January 31st 2026 at 15:30 GMT by tntsports.co.uk
      Locales: Cheshire, Greater London, UNITED KINGDOM

Macclesfield, Cheshire - January 31st, 2026 - A seismic shockwave reverberated through the footballing world today as Macclesfield Town, currently competing in the National League, pulled off a stunning upset in the Emirates FA Cup, defeating reigning champions Crystal Palace. The victory, orchestrated by manager John Rooney, has not only secured Macclesfield a place in the next round, but has also reignited the spirit of the FA Cup as a competition where dreams, however improbable, can still come true.

The final score of 2-1 hardly tells the full story of a match dominated by tactical discipline and unwavering belief from the Macclesfield side. Palace, brimming with Premier League talent, arrived at the Moss Rose stadium as overwhelming favourites. Manager Oliver Grayson, under pressure after a series of lackluster league performances, undoubtedly viewed the FA Cup as a potential lifeline. However, he found himself outmaneuvered by Rooney, a relatively young manager quickly making a name for himself.

Rooney, brother of legendary Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, is rapidly establishing a reputation as a tactical innovator. Prior to today, his focus has been on building a defensively solid and mentally resilient Macclesfield team. He's instilled a work ethic that belies their non-league status, and this was abundantly clear against Palace. The game plan centered around absorbing pressure, frustrating Palace's creative players, and exploiting any space on the counter-attack.

"We knew we couldn't go toe-to-toe with them in terms of individual quality," Rooney explained in a post-match interview. "Our approach was to be organized, disciplined, and to make every moment count. The lads executed the plan perfectly."

The first half saw Palace dominate possession, but Macclesfield's defensive shape, a compact 5-4-1 formation, proved incredibly difficult to break down. Palace's star striker, Marcus Bell, was largely nullified by the commanding presence of Macclesfield captain, Daniel Hayes. The breakthrough came against the run of play in the 35th minute. A swift counter-attack, sparked by a Palace corner, saw winger Liam Carter break down the left flank, delivering a pinpoint cross for striker Ethan Davies to head home, sending the Moss Rose into raptures.

Palace responded with increased intensity after the break, throwing on two substitutes in an attempt to inject more creativity into their attack. Their efforts paid off in the 68th minute when Bell finally found the net, capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse. However, Macclesfield refused to be disheartened. Just when it seemed Palace would seize control, Rooney's tactical adjustment proved decisive.

He introduced fresh legs in midfield, and the change immediately paid dividends. Macclesfield regained control of the midfield, forcing Palace to commit more players forward. In the 82nd minute, a clever free-kick routine saw midfielder Ben Williams curl a stunning effort into the top corner, restoring Macclesfield's lead and effectively sealing the victory.

The final minutes were a tense affair, with Palace desperately searching for an equalizer. However, Macclesfield's defence held firm, earning a deserved victory and sparking scenes of wild celebration amongst the home fans.

The result represents a significant moment for Macclesfield Town, a club steeped in history but currently facing financial challenges. The FA Cup run provides a much-needed boost to morale and a significant financial windfall, offering hope for a brighter future. More broadly, the match serves as a powerful reminder of the magic of the FA Cup, a competition often overshadowed by the financial might of the Premier League. It proves that with astute management, unwavering team spirit, and a little bit of luck, even the smallest of clubs can overcome the biggest of challenges. The FA Cup, for one afternoon at least, remembered its giant-killing roots. Rooney's name will be forever etched in Macclesfield folklore, and the question now remains: how far can this fairytale run take them?